Risk level for Iceland eruption raised to orange

Iceland’s Met Office has raised its risk level for an eruption at Bardarbunga volcano to orange, the second-highest level.

This is a harsh reminder of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which erupted just four years ago. Ash from the Eyjafjallajokull eruption shut down much of Europe’s airspace for six days, affecting more than 10 million people and costing $1.7 billion.

Met Office seismologist Martin Hensch said the risk of a Bardarbunga eruption causing similar disruptions would depend on the amount of ash, how high it rises, and how fine-grained it is.

Bardarbunga, the country’s largest volcanic system, is located under the ice cap of the Vatnajokull glacier in southeast Iceland. According to Wikipedia, it covers more than 8 percent of the country.

In the 18th century a volcano or fissure called Laki opened up and spewed out lava and gas for several months:http://uk.ask.com/wiki/Laki?lang=en
If this was to happen again then the northern hemisphere at least could be in for a very bad time?

Scotland related article>>
So much for summer: Snow set to blast Scotland as forecasters warn of ‘coldest August spell in a century’
Forecasters have warned that Cumbria and Yorkshire could see the coldest August spell in 95 years
The temperature rose no higher than 8.9C in 1919 and it is expected to dip that low again later this week
Snow is predicted in the mountains of Scotland as a stubborn band of low pressure drags air in from the north
Experts are predicting scattered showers, cool temperatures and windy weather for the next two weeks
MeteoGroup has said said there is ‘not much to be optimistic about’ as the Bank Holiday weather looks ‘disappointing’